A loose vagina, also known as vaginal looseness or vaginal laxity, can be a significant source of distress for women affected by this condition. The medical community has often dismissed the concept of vaginal tightness as something which is inevitable after pregnancy and childbirth. Many women may not be aware that vaginal elasticity can change throughout their lifetime due to significant events such as childbirth, hormonal fluctuations or traumatic injury. Here we discuss the key facts and myths about what causes a loose vagina.
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Can sex cause a loose vagina?
Contrary to popular belief, the vagina does not lose its elasticity after excessive amounts of penetrative sexual intercourse. Regardless of how much sex a woman has, the natural elasticity of the vagina means it always returns to its normal dimensions after sexual intercourse. The vagina can effectively widen as an adaptation for sexual activity. As the walls of the vagina relax and stretch during sexual activity, this phenomenon is similar to when people open their mouths to eat or stretch their arms out when tired. It does not matter how many times you yawn or stretch your mouth, the size and shape of the vagina will always return to its normal level of tightness.
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Many mistakenly believe that the hymen contributes to the sensation of having a tight vagina. The hymen is a thin membrane that only partially covers the vaginal opening. Although it surrounds the vaginal opening, the hymen easily stretches during sexual intercourse when the vaginal muscles relax and do not affect sensation during sexual activity.
Women who experience vaginal looseness may have had previous childbirth, had a traumatic injury or undergone hormonal changes as part of menopause as likely causes. Here at Centre for Surgery, we offer a range of treatments to improve vaginal tightness, including laser treatments and surgical procedures. Vaginal tightening can help to improve the elasticity of the vagina, which helps to increase sensation for both partners during sexual intercourse.
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Can childbirth cause vaginal looseness?
Women can experience significant body changes during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Although childbirth can result in a reduction in vagina tightness, several factors may contribute to this issue. The vagina has an incredible level of elasticity which allows it to stretch enormously to accommodate the passage of the baby’s head during childbirth. In some cases, the vagina does not shrink back to its pre-pregnancy state after childbirth. Women often experience changes in vagina tightness and sensation after childbirth due to damage to the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue during delivery. Pelvic floor muscles are especially likely to become damaged after multiple childbirth or difficult vaginal delivery. Pelvic floor dysfunction can also contribute to a range of medical problems in the future, including urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Most women often notice changes to their vaginas after childbirth. Vaginal tightening surgery is highly effective for treating a loose vagina. A vaginoplasty can repair the vaginal walls and pelvic floor muscles and is often combined with a perineoplasty to reconstruct a gaping vaginal opening caused by damaged connective tissue and muscles that support the opening of the vagina.
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Can hormonal changes cause vaginal laxity?
The natural ageing process is the most common cause of a loose vagina. As women approach menopause, levels of oestrogen production begin to decline. Immediately before menopause, oestrogen levels begin to decline rapidly, which affects the elasticity and tightness of the vagina. Lack of oestrogen can cause the lining of the vagina to become dry and lose its inherent tightness. Reduction in natural lubrication may be experienced during sexual intercourse and may cause significant pain and discomfort. Vaginal looseness gradually develops as the vaginal walls lose their resilience. Most of the symptoms are easily treated with various effective treatments, including oestrogen supplementation and laser vaginal tightening.
Myths surrounding a loose vagina have caused much confusion for women who experience this condition. Although most of the misconceptions about what causes a loose vagina have no evidence base, there are many cases where women can benefit from either laser vaginal tightening or vaginal tightening surgery.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for vaginal tightening?
Centre for Surgery is renowned for expertise in both laser and surgical vaginal tightening for women in London and surrounding areas. Many people travel from other parts of the UK to access specialised expertise at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. If you are keen to improve elasticity or increase vaginal sensation, call us on 020 7993 4849 to schedule an in-person consultation with an expert gynaecologist for a detailed discussion of the most appropriate treatment option for you.
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